Covid cases drop by 3k, hosps see vacant beds in last two days

Nagpur: The number of Covid-19 positive cases has dropped by 3,631 in the last two days, as compared to the two days before that. The number is also slightly less than the average cases last week. Officials and experts are optimistic, but said any conclusion of a dip in second wave can be confirmed only after monitoring data for one week or more.
The district registered 6,287 and 5,852 positive cases on Tuesday and Monday respectively, for a total of 12,139 cases. Daily average of cases for these two days comes to 6,069. On Saturday and Sunday, there were 7,999 and 7,771 cases respectively, for a total of 15,700, and daily average of 7,885. Thus, cases declined by 3,631 in last two days.
The district had recorded a new high of cases daily between April 21 and 25. There were 37,828 cases in these five days for a daily average of 7,566.
Daily average of cases in last week (April 15 to 21) was 6,650. So, cases in last two days are less than the average of last week, five days of new high, and also the last two days.
The number of tests also went down in last two days. There were 41,905 tests in last two days for a daily average of 20,952. On Saturday and Sunday, there were 50,001 tests for a daily average of 25,000. In simple numbers, tests declined by 8,096 in last two days. Daily average of tests in last week (April 15 to 21) was 24,303.
After many days, 134 beds with oxygen supply were vacant in private and government hospitals followed by five beds in ICU as per NMC’s evening data.
Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B told TOI, “There were 85 vacant O2 beds a day ago. We have not reduced testing centres or restricted anyone. NMC’s testing centres are also witnessing decline in people coming for tests for last two days. Cases are stagnant and slightly reduced. All these are positive indicators. But we will have to wait for one week or more to come to a conclusion that district has passed the peak and cases have started to decline.”
The civic chief said, “If cases continue to decline, it will also prove that infectivity reduced due to lockdown and restrictions in the city. There are various more things to do. Vaccination is most important and all above 18 years need to get inoculated. Lives can be saved only if over 80% are vaccinated and we achieve herd immunity.”
Infectious diseases specialist Dr Nitin Shinde said, “Growth rate has declined in the district. But we will have to wait for one week or another ten days to come to any conclusion. Chances of temporary dampening in cases for two-three days also cannot be ruled out. But we are optimistic seeing decline in growth rate.”
Only worry is rise in deaths. The district has recorded 190 deaths in last two days. There were 169 fatalities on Saturday and Sunday. Daily average of deaths in last week (April 15 to 21) was 88.
After peak of first wave in last two weeks of August and entire September, cases had started to decline from beginning of October last year. But deaths continued to be high in October.